Corbett's quick turnaround on gun-show limits

A sign is posted for an upcoming gun show, Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, in Leesport, Pa. Gun advocates arenít backing down from their insistence on the right to keep and bear arms. But heightened sensitivities and raw nerves since the Newtown, Conn. shooting are softening displays at gun shows and even leading officials and sponsors to cancel the popular exhibitions altogether. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Amy Worden

Inquirer Staff Writer

It took Gov. Corbett six months to announce he had changed his position on the NCAA's penalties against Penn State. It took him a little more than six hours to shift gears on limiting gun shows.

Speaking in response to a listener's question on public radio Friday morning, Corbett said he would consider limiting gun shows at publicly-supported properties such as the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg.

Corbett said that no one had ever suggested the idea to him before.

"It's a good thing to raise and I will give a thought to it," he said on WITF's "Smart Talk."

But by the end of the day, that subject was closed.

The Tribune-Review reports Corbett spokeswoman Janet Kelly issued a statement late Friday saying “there would be no reason to ban (gun shows) on public property, such as the Farm Show building, as they are legitimate business owners conducting business.

"Our policy on these matters remains unchanged,” the statement said.

Corbett did note on the radio program that prospective buyers at gun shows must be cleared through the Pennsylvania State Police instant background check system — just as they are when buying weapons from gun shops.

(Pennsylvania has a smaller gun show "loophole" than other states; all gun purchasers except for long guns must be cleared with a background check).